Chapter XXVI: The Covenant
During the troubles to which this chapter refers the Dundonald family had resided at the Abbey House. They do not appear to have been very popular with the townspeople, and though they conformed to the kirk, and occupied their “loft” in it regularly, they were suspected of leanings towards Prelacy. One little dispute between them and their neighbours is amusing. A green sloped down from the “Place of Paisley” to the river Cart. It is the strip of land so often referred to in the early charters of the Monastery, as lying below the dormitory of the monks. It had come to be used as a public bleaching-green, and the washerwomen of the town might often have been seen there tramping their clothes in tubs and carrying on bleaching operations. Lady Cochrane and her son did not regard their industry with approval, and “declared that none should have liberty to bleach on the green under the chambers.” They also threw down a “knocking stone” which had been set up by one of the bleachers. This gave great offence to the Magistrates of the town. “Without a contrary voice they concluded to go to the bleaching-green betwixt the Abbey Chambers and the water, and where the town's knocking stones are cast down, and to set the same up again.” They accordingly marched thither in procession for this purpose, and the result of their opposition was that they discomfited the Dundonalds, and retained for the use of the burgesses the coveted washing-green. It was the first exhibition of that radical spirit for which Paisley has in later days been so famous.
Whatever disputes arose between the townspeople and the Cochranes, as the Dundonald family were called, there happened shortly after this an event in which they rejoiced heartily together. One day in June, 1660, there came “into Lord Cochrane's hands an act and ordinance, issued by the Parliament of England, ordaining King Charles the Second to be proclaimed righteous heir to the crown of these nations, [10] who intends to have the said proclamation read the morne upon the Cross, and desires of the Bailies and Council their concurrence thereto.” This concurrence was heartily given—the King was proclaimed with rejoicing. No more English Sectaries would levy their contributions on the citizens, and even the ministers shared in the joy, for was not Charles a covenanted King? Mr. Alexander Dunlop and Mr. James Stirling offered publick thanksgivings in the Abbey, and the people were not restrained, even by covenanting severity, from exhibiting their hilarity in the manner for which Scotland has been always famous. This Mr. Stirling was minister of the second charge, Mr. Dunlop having been promoted to the first charge in 1653. Mr. Stirling was ordained to Paisley when only twenty three years of age, but was reckoned by all who knew him “a very considerable man.” So says Wodrow, [11] and adds that “he was very acute, learned, and pious, and had a very polite and accurate way of preaching. He was mighty familiar and well acquaint with our great noblemen, such as the Marquis of Argyle and others, for he was well bred and well behaved. He was to have been settled at Erskine, but Mr. Dunlop enticed him to Paisley.” The coining to the Abbey of so bright a light was an occasion of great rejoicing. The Town Council paid twelve pounds “from the mortcloth money” in giving a supper to the ministers of the Presbytery and their followers at his induction. [12] Had he and they known what was to be the end of his ministry at Paisley, their festivity would have been greatly modified.
[10] Town Council Records.
[11] Analecta, Vol. III., p. 23.
[12] Town Council Records, Nov., 1655. Mr. Stirling was inducted on 26th June, 1654.